Annual Reports

May PEACE Prevail in Sierra Leone!
May PEACE Prevail on Earth!

STATE AND PROGRESS FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2000

All through this period under review, the center embarked on an in-depth needs assessment, thoroughly looking into the challenges of its beneficiary communities, and seeking to develop a more aggressive fundraising strategy capable of generating the funds needed to carry out the work of the center more productively.

CADS/2001/KSK-ABK
Building Capacity for Sustainable Development and Positive Reconstruction

In-depth Needs Assessment in the Koya and York Rural Districts Report On Agriculture, Income Generation and Production Activities Introduction

The five year armed conflict in Sierra Leone has had devastating effects. About half its population has become internally displaced, dispersed or refugees in other countries, confronted with violence, suffering, malnutrition, disease, mutilation and death. Villages were looted, burned and later evacuated to bigger towns for better security, including Freetown and provincial headquarters towns. Parallel to the struggle of the war-affected population, initiatives were supported by the civil societies and the general public to support their democratically elected government's efforts in pursuing the end of the war in bringing about an almost holding cease-fire, with the signing of peace accords. Humantarian assistance provided by the United Nations agencies, bilateral donors, and friendly countries sustained the affected population while plans are carefully made to consolidate the gains towards rehabilitation and recovery for Sierra Leone. A considerable number of the displaced population has gone back to their villages. Some had already taken up farming activities, while some cannot, as survival remains uncertain and doubtful. However, a prevalent belief that peace is imminent therefore necessitates pro-active planning.

The Center for Alternative Development Strategies (CADS) Sierra Leone in collaboration with its farming and trade associations' membership has initiated planning activities towards the development of a program for rehabilitation and reconstruction. And all have agreed there is need for concrete rehabilitation related interventions. There is the need to address the urgent needs of the population associated with resettlement/re-integration of the displaced, refugees and ex-combatants as well as the restoration of services and rehabilitation of infrastructure on a wider context of peace building and reconciliation.

Background: Agriculture is the predominant economic activity in the Koya and York rural districts employing an estimated 95% of the population. Most farmers are subsistence producers. Food crops produced include rice, cassava, yam, sweet potatoes and vegetables. Only surpluses are marketed. A few farmers produce cash crops - coffee, cocoa, and oil palm - being the major cash earners. The mass displacement of the population especially over the last five years has disrupted all agricultural activities. When staple food crops like rice, maize, cassava, potato and other crops were set ablaze, rebels threatened people to leave their crops and flee for their lives. Few other farmers were cultivating and producing low maintenance crops that could be harvested discretely and required minimal inputs and tools. Rice farming was abandoned because it became targets for rebels and armed raiders. Root and tuber crops were cultivated in higher quantity since they were less prone to destruction especially at the early stages. In this circumstance, production and storage of seed stocks became very low and the seed stocks were used as food for consumption.

Objectives of the In-depth Needs Assessment: The center's Rapid Assessment Mission to Koya and York Rural in September 10, 2000 led by the General Coordinator, Amadu Koroma, Esq. form the basis for the planning of activities of CADS, primarily designed to support the Government's National Resettlement, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Plan (NRRRP).

The recently concluded In-depth Needs Assessment exercise (February 3 - 23, 2001 deployed the center's Research and Development staff and one consultant to investigate the status, damages, potentials and recommend interventions in the following four main areas:

1. Rehabilitation of Community Infrastructure and Shelter.

2. Restoration of Basic Social Services.

3. Agriculture, Income Generation and other Productive Activities.

4. Community Development, Animation and Resource Mobilization.

3.1 Major Objectives:

1. To ascertain the extent of population movements, general constraints and opportunities for resettlement and rehabilitation in the Koya and York Rural Districts.

2. To involve the local communities in the assessment of damages and effects of the war on the economic, social and physical infrastructures and community institutions.

3. To assess the existing capacities and opportunities necessary for the resettlement and reconstruction of the Koya and York Rural.

4. To sensitize the population about their role and contribution in bringing about reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of their communities.

3.2 Specific Tasks of the CADS Team:

. Undertake a review and documentation on existing rehabilitation needs literature on Koya and York Rural Districts.

· Identify income generating/productive activities involving the communities, groups and associations before and after the conflict.

· Catalogue extent of losses, damages and destruction to productive activities/income generating activities (including agriculture) involving the communities, groups and farm associations.

· Determine constraints, requirements, linkages and markets to re-establish productive enterprises.

· Assess availability of skills, training, labor, materials and markets.

· Identify income-generating activities with high-profit potentials and those providing the most essential services (i.e. blacksmithy) undertaken by individuals or families and propose how they could be assisted to nurture these activities into viable small-scale enterprises.

· Determine the involvement and participation of youth, women and the aged in the informal economy of the community.

· Assess the organizational capacities of resettled communities to operate profit-making ventures with accountability and transparency.

4.0 Methodology:

The methodology was defined to ensure the achievement of the overall objectives for the study and the specific tasks for the CADS Team. The team agreed on the following work plan:

- A specialist on Agriculture, productive and income generation will be involved. - The Needs Assessment Questionnaire /Form was discussed with team members to gather information in all areas identified for the exercise. The Questionnaire provided several ways of obtaining basic information for the immediate, medium and long term needs.

- The team visited sites that were accessible and relatively safe and interviewed as many people, particularly community leaders, elders and focussed groups during the allotted time.

4.1 Constraints:

The team was not able to visit some of the villages. These places are not motorable. There are no roads and very often there are no bridges/culverts to carry the vehicle and its passengers to these villages and beyond. Some of the villages visited were deserted. In several villages, the team met the former residents who came to be interviewed specifically during the exercise. Although there was no reason to doubt the security of the area during the exercise, especially in the presence of UN troops wherever the ream went, it was a bothering concern that could not be ruled out as there was sporadic shooting in nearby areas while the team was in the village of Gbonkowailay.

With the estimated population of Koya and York Rural districts at 95,000, the present total acreage of food crops (2,144 Acres) is not sufficient to feed the people. They have no surpluses for income generation and seeds for next planting season.

It is evident from the table above and from responses of plantation owners during the in-depth assessment that there are very few acres of plantations being rehabilitated presently. The existing plantations have been overgrown by bushes (weeds), triggering infections by pests and diseases with their consequent effect of low yield. Labor is required for the rehabilitation and extension existing plantations. Thus, food-for-work for these activities will be very essential to enhance the work. Income from plantations supplements the daily incomes of villagers greatly. It is clear that all foodstuff sold in the villages are sold outside communities as long as they produce surpluses. Foodstuff produced is sold mostly in the village because they do not grow many surpluses.

Another reason is bad bridges and roads connecting the villages and towns or other villages (i.e. lack of motorable roads leading to villages and towns) needing more food to feed a larger population. Foodstuffs when sold outside production villages generate more income for the farmers and community.

Therefore, roads and bridges rehabilitation, increased food production and processing of food crop should be supported to enable farmers to maximize their profit.

The local blacksmiths can make most of the farming tools. However, these blacksmiths have some serious constraints. Some of the blacksmiths whose tools were not looted are very old and were locally made equipment that is less efficient and produce fewer tools per man-day. Thus there is need to equip them with modern implement like bellows. Training should be organized to enable them to use these modern implements. Other essential tools like hammers, files, etc. and scrap metals should be supplied to them on loan.

It is the strategy of CADS to providing these essential tools and scrap metals to the blacksmiths on a loan agreed with the community. The loan should be payable in X number of finished items (cutlass, hoes, etc.). Until this agreement is fulfilled, the tools remain the property of the community. The above mentioned agricultural inputs are in short supply even before the war.

However, presently there are very few or no inputs for agricultural activities. There is need therefore to provide these inputs in the villages. Food-for-work for agricultural activities as well as labor saving devices should be supported to jump start agricultural production and to ease workload of those involved particularly women. There are few immediate requirements that cut across the short-term and long-term. Most short-term requirements merge into medium-term.It is clear even by observing and interviews that most villages have very little chicken and no ducks, sheep or goats.

It is also recognized that the nutritional status of the people can only be improved by balanced diet including these first class proteins. Thus, poultry and animal husbandry should have immediate funding assistance for proper resettlement and rehabilitation process.

5.0 Problems of Farmers Relating to Storage and Marketing: Most food crops have been stored in bands, baskets, underground, boxes, bags, etc. in farm houses/huts where people sleep. However, some of these crops rot easily or are destroyed by rodents, insects, fire, etc. the viability of seeds i.e. rice is seriously reduced due to unregulated temperature provided by the fire placed underneath. Due to high perishability of some agricultural products i.e. tubers, vegetables, fruits, hence reducing the market value, most are sold at source of production. Bulkiness of most agricultural products renders them difficult to take from village to village.

Unmotorable roads and bridges are one of the most important problems of marketing agricultural produce and needs to be addressed. Construction of seed stores; rehabilitation of roads and bridges and construction of new ones where needed, will improve marketing agricultural produce. Processing of agricultural produce will also help maximize profit especially when taken to big towns in high demand. Thus, labor saving devices for processing agricultural produce should be considered for funding. Due to the five years armed conflict, roads and bridges are in terrible conditions - thus rendering most villages inaccessible.

Therefore, agricultural extension agents, health and other government officials cannot visit to provide neither services nor training. The importance of the rehabilitation of roads and bridges as well as the organization of training in improved farming techniques cannot be over emphasized. The center's needs assessment team suggests that extension-training services be re-designed to effect before/during the farming activity is implemented i.e., training for plot layout and panicle selection, in swamp rice production be concluded before or during swamp rice cultivation.

It can be seen from the results of the assessment that besides palm oil processing, commercial vegetable gardening and the buying and selling of produce, not much food processing activities are undertaken. Other income generating activities are done at very small scale. There is evidence that low food processing is due to lack of labor saving devices for such activities. The team suggests that to maximize income from products, labor saving devices for food processing should be undertaken/supported.

Besides farming, petty trading and productive income generating activities are the major source of livelihood for a high percentage of the population of Koya and York Rural Districts. Most farmers blend farming with one or more productive activities. Due to lack of skills in small business development and management, the profit margin from these activities is still inadequate to meet basic household needs. Most productive/income generating activities are communal (families, associations, etc.) especially of women and youths. Women and youths from the higher proportion of the people in the chiefdom.

However, most women and youths are illiterates with little or no skills in the income generating activities they undertake. Even with their low or non-income earning status, they are highly involved in catering for the household needs. There is need to develop skills of the community in small-scale business/income generating and productive activities through training and support of target groups/organizations. It is hoped that income earning/capacity building projects will be established and implemented as an ongoing project in these districts.

6.0 Project Profiles for Agricultural Rehabilitation

Project Title Agriculture Rehabilitation (Upland Rice) Location: Selected Communal Farming Associations in the Koya and York Rural Districts. Objectives:

- Revive food (rice) production in areas that have been abandoned for nearly 5 years, hence ensuring household food security in the district.

- Ensure the production of seeds after the first harvest, which will lead to the establishment of seed banks. This will serve as seed supply for subsequent growing seasons in the rural districts and beyond.

- Providing training facilities for the farmers especially in improved farming practices/operations, thus farmers develop skills that will maximize their scale of production using very limited resources.

- increase rice production beyond subsistence level to commercial level (income generation) and therefore reducing the dependency syndrome on relief food that people have developed over the years.

Activities: -

- Site Selection
- Brushing
- Felling
- Burning
- Clearing
- Broad cashing seeds/Tilling of soil.
- Weeding
- Bird Scaring
- Harvesting
- Threshing

Project Title: Agriculture Rehabilitation (Inland Valley Swamp Rice)

Location: Selected Communal farming Associations in the York Rural District

Objectives:

- Revive food (rice) production in areas that have been abandoned for nearly 5 years, hence ensuring household food security in the district.

- increase rice production beyond subsistence level to commercial level (income generation) and therefore reducing the dependency syndrome on relief food that people have developed over the years.

Activities:

- Site Selection
- Brushing
- Nursing
- Clearing
- Transplanting
- Fertilizer application
- Bird Scaring
- Panicle Selection
- Harvesting
- Threshing

Project Title: Agricultural Rehabilitation (Root crops and Tubers).

Location: Selected Farming Associations in the Koya Rural

Objectives:

- Ensure readily available food supply in the form of root tubers during the hungry/production season of the staple food crops.

- Reduce pressure on the consumption of rice through the provision of substitute food items i.e. cassava, sweet potatoes, chinese yams, cocoyams, etc.

- Provide source of additional income through the sales of roots and tubers and their products i.e. garri, starch, foofoo, etc.

Activities:

- Site selection
- Brushing
- Land preparation (digging and rigging)
- Planting (cuttings and vines)
- Weeding
- Earthing Up
- Harvesting

Project Title: Agricultural Rehabilitation (Vegetable Production)

Location: Selected Farming Associations in the York Rural

Objectives:

- Revive normal backyard gardening activities, which before the war were widely practiced.

- Improve the nutritional status of the families through the supply of essential vitamins and minerals required by the body.

- Provide additional source of income through the sales of vegetables cultivated for commercial purposes.

- Provide source of seed supply for the entire community after the first growing season at an affordable cost, especially for farmers who cannot afford them if they are to rely on outside supplies.

Activities:

- Site selection
- Establish a nursery
- Brushing
- Clearing
- Land Preparation (digging the soil)
- Application of manure
- Transplanting
- Watering (Continuous)
- Mulching
- Application of fertilizers
- Weeding (twice as the case may be)
- Spraying of insecticide where necessary
- Harvesting

Project Title: Agricultural rehabilitation (Rehabilitation of Plantations)

Location:Selected Communal Farming Associations in the Koya Rural

Objectives: - Provide major source of income through the sales of products for both farmers and the nation at large.

- Facilitate faster rehabilitation and reintegration of re-settled households who have access to tree crop plantations.

Activities:

- Brushing
- Pruning (Coffee or Cacao
- Toileting (Oil palm)
- Application of fertilizers where required
- Harvesting
- Processing of product

Project Title: Agricultural Rehabilitation (Establishment of Fruit Tree Nurseries)

Location: Selected Communal farming Associations in the Koya Rural

Objective:

- Provide source of income for especially resettled households who do not prior to the war own plantations.

Activities:

- Site selection
- Preparation of site
- Procurement of nursery materials (watering cans, polythene bags, etc.)
- Fencing the nursery site
- Watering (continuos)
- Application of fertilizers
- Weeding
- Shading
- Sowing the seeds
- Mulching (if necessary)

7.0 Conclusion and recommendations for Agricultural

Activities

1. Many studies have shown that in addition to community infrastructures, most communities have a long tradition of undertaking house construction for individual families, on a group basis. In such a situation the community usually helps with labor intensive operations (such as laying of the foundation, making of blocks, etc.) while the respective family provides food and entertainment in appreciation of the assistance received.

2. The potential of local communities to participate in development undertakings continues to manifest itself during the on-going war. Even the displaced population, living in camps, enthusiastically participates in the construction of their water, sanitation and health facilities, which are typically funded by external agencies. They also cooperate in undertaking food production activities.

3. The impressive potentials of rural communities to participate in, and meaningfully contribute to their own development has been recognized and utilized by several development organizations, to good effect.

4. There is every reason to believe and expect that this traditional potential of local communities to participate in their own development can be counted upon in the post-war period.

To facilitate this process, chiefs and other local decision-makes should be involved in every phase of the post-war rehabilitation exercise (i.e. planning, implementation, etc.).

- Training of farmers is a prerequisite to the success of the program and therefore should be the center piece if the agricultural component.

- Consultancy services should be sought from time to time until farmers are fairly adequately trained to take over these responsibilities. This is because of the scope and depth of the information needed to effectively and efficiently implement the program especially after long abandonment of farming activities.

- This being a resettlement program for quick result, the CADS team recommends concrete arrangement be made to ensure that basic food aid (food-for-work) be somehow regular.

- The Communal farming System Agricultural Strategy of CADS demands the local population to provide land and labor.

- Most of the settlements have been deserted for long time leaving every establishment at the mercy of intruders. In an effort to ensure effective restoration of devastated establishment especially in the agricultural area, the CADS team recommends initial free supply of planting materials (seeds and tools) to enable the returnees to restart normal lives.

- The team also recommends adequately equipping the local blacksmiths in villages e.g. equipment and training to increase production of tools of better quality.

- Short duration seeds, tubers, vines and fertilizers should be provided for this season as a way of restoring the lives of farm communities.

- Labor saving devices and machinery, which also help in food processing, should be supported to encourage large-scale production and processing, thus maximizing their profit.

7.1 Project Profile for Income Generating and Productive Activities

Project Title: Micro-Enterprise and Income Generating

Project Location: Koya and York Rural Districts Background: In response to community initiatives in the restoration of livelihoods, service and products, the promotion of development of micro-enterprises will be supported as part of the sustainable development program of CADS as a means towards sustainable economic recovery. Project Description: As a tangible economic incentive for peace, the provision of micro-credit (in cash, equipment and/or materials) for micro enterprise development will be promoted for the establishment of small income earning ventures (carpentry, masonry, blacksmithy, fishing, oil palm processing, tie-dyeing, soap making and retailing) to one complemented with training programs (group dynamics, leadership communication and basic business skills).

Funds will be utilized to expand or rescue struggling enterprises, launch new ones and to create employment opportunities. It also aims to replace equipment and capital base destroyed/looted during the rebel war.

Implementation strategies will focus on the strengthening of groups, traditional structures and bonds between group members.

Project Objectives:

· To increase income levels of the beneficiaries;

· Provide capital, equipment and materials to initiate, strengthen or expand micro-enterprises so that employment opportunities may be created.

· Provide training to enhance capacities and skills in management of small enterprises; and

· Ensure effective delivery of services and availability of products.

Major Activities:

· Mobilization
· Training
· Revolving Loans and Distribution of Kits
· Monitoring of Project Activities
· Loan repayment
· Planning on the use of profits
· Project Evaluation with beneficiaries participating.

Delivery Mechanism: The Micro Enterprise Administration of CADS and the communal farming associations leaders in the areas will supervise to ensure that the project is appropriately implemented. A forum of MEA team and the farming associations' leaders will be established to share information and experiences to improve affectivity of project implementation.

Monitoring and Supervision: Involvement of identified implementation structures approved by the NCRRR will ensure:

· Verification of disbursements of funds
· Updating of needs and priorities are periodically attended to;
· Achievements of set targets
· Participatory evaluation with beneficiaries.

Activities to be supported by this Project

a) revolving credit schemes (0susu)
b) Rural farming cooperatives/organizations
c) Community based skills training (micro-enterprise development)
d) Artisan tool production
e) Micro-credit and loan scheme

i) Petty trading ii) Cookery iii) Cham-cham/fry-fry iv) Country cloth weaving v) Poultry vi) Carpentry vii) Masonry viii) Blacksmithy ix) Motor cycle hiring x) Oil palm processing xi) Artisanal fishing/trading xii) Tyre repairs xiii) Snuff production xiv) Kerosene sale

TOTAL PROJECT COST: $35,000

7.2 The Establishment of the Clay Brick Factory in Koya Rural

The establishment of the clay brick factory on Koya Rural will be a cost-effective way of rebuilding structures (public and private) in this district and beyond. As far back as August 1998, the district had formally indicated their desire to establish a clay brick factory in Masiaka. It was the community's initiative to address the reconstruction requirements of the broken down dilapidated and deteriorating buildings. With the support of the Paramount Chief, Bai Kompa Bomboli II, 17 acre was set aside near the source of clay deposit. A good number of able - bodied men started the production of clay bricks. Production was slow, time consuming and labor intensive. Firing of the bricks was found inefficient, using tremendous amounts of firewood. Technical and financial assistance was sought with positive promises. However, when the rebel activities intensified in the district, the establishment of the clay brick factory no longer became the pre-occupation of the distressed population.

The center's needs assessment survey of February 2001 in Koya Rural identified the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the following buildings:

Dwelling Houses - 9,350
Community health Center - 3
Community Barries - 8
Markets - 2
Churches - 5
Mosques - 7
Schools - 22
Stores - 6

In addition there are also those buildings that need to be condemned and rebuilt. Intensive consultation of population on rehabilitation and reconstruction of the district resulted in the renewed determination to seriously explore the potentials of the previously identified Clay Brick factory. It was pointed out that technical and financial assistance will enable the district to utilize good quality strong and durable bricks for its own reconstruction requirements. Clay bricks can also be sold to nearby rural areas and proceeds used to meet other reconstruction requirements (i.e. CI sheets, nails, iron rods, etc.)

The following are vital advantages of supporting the clay factory:

- Provision if training facilities for both ex-combatants and residents who might want to resettle in that area.

- Provide job facilities for able-bodied men in the locality.

- Improve the standard of houses to be reconstructed by far more than they were during the pre-war period.

- Help to cut down cost of imported materials through the use of locally made building materials (bricks and tiles) from clay.

The center's needs assessment team therefore proposes that two ceraman

- manual brick making machine and one
- automatic
- 1400 brick making machine be provided to establish this factory.

The ceraman (manual) produces 300 bricks (different sizes) per hour and also makes roofing and paving tiles. The ceramatic (automatic) produces 2000 bricks per hour of varying sizes.

The estimated cost of the clay factory is:

1. Construction of buildings - $126,000
2. One Ceramic Machine (Automatic) - $50,000
3. to Ceramic (Manual) - $24,000
4. One Tipper (vehicle) - $50,000 TOTAL - $250,000

FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR THE YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 1998, 1999, 2000 AND 2001.

CADS program accomplishments during the fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001mirrored years the center struggled with tireless enthusiasm to harness its limited resources to support programs that accounted for 95% of total expenses. Both revenues and program expenses did not exceed the budgets for the charted programs of the center, because of lack of substantial donor support. This had significant implications for the center's program activities.

With the limited revenue generated, CADS was able to engage in major programs on its Communal Farming System (CFS) strategy on agricultural sector development (1998/1999), the CADS Mariner project (1999/2000), the Beneficiaries Assembly and Annual Sensitization Conference (1998), and the Needs Assessment Program (2001). These investments challenged the center but did not adversely affect its post investment income generation plan - the center's CFS was income generating just as its CADS Mariner Project.

Grant making donor support from international foundations, corporations and individuals continued to be the lifeblood of CADS revenue base. But because of delay and frustrating constraints in getting donor support, the CADS program is effectively developing income generation strategies through entreprenuership endeavors, to generate sufficient unrestricted revenues by which CADS will be able to operate better.

CADS Strategic plan, as approved by the Board of Trustees, commits the organization to a strong continuing presence in the rural areas of Koya and York districts.

To meet its goals, as the organization tried in the fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001, CADS will have to strengthen its capabilities relying even more heavily on the expertise of its staff and volunteers and on the generosity of grant making foundations, corporations and benevolent individuals.

Finally, a word on the limitations of a financial report: Achievements can be measured on a balance sheet but success can only be gauged in the communities and areas of activities where CADS is active. The CADS agenda has the potential to positively impact more lives and communities if supported by the donor constituency. The center's sustained commitment and tireless enthusiasm to developing sustainable alternatives for practical development remains standard.

Bankers: The Center for Alternative Development Strategies (CADS) Sierra Leone Account Number: 210 - 07704 - 01 Account Type: Current: In Account With: Union Trust bank Ltd. - PMB 1237, Lightfoot Boston Street, Freetown.

Annual Report 1999 | Annual Report 2000

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